Latex Gloves Banned In Some States

Latex gloves worn by workers in the foodservice industry have been known to leave behind traces of latex protein on food. Some customers have claimed to have experienced allergic reactions from eating food at restaurants that have used latex gloves. As a result, some states such as Oregon, Arizona, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have banned latex gloves from food service processing.

Oregon has completely banned the use of latex gloves in all food service facilities within the state. The move was prompted in part by an increase in workers’ compensation claims stemming from latex-related allergies and by consumers’ complaints.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has updated its requirements for food safety. It requires the use of latex-free gloves by workers handling all ready-to-eat foods. Likewise, Rhode Island prohibits the use of latex gloves in establishments and stores licensed by the Office of Food Protection.

Similarly, the State Assembly of New York passed a bill that requires any food service establishment using gloves to warn consumers in writing that latex gloves are used by staff in the preparation of food and those allergic to latex should take appropriate precautions.

Other states that have undertaken initiates to ban latex gloves from food preparation include California, Texas, Iowa and Nebraska.

4 Comments

I work for one of the largest suppliers of disposable gloves in the US. We’ve created a site dedicated to food and work safety, which includes links to all of 50 states’ food codes. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions as pertains to use of disposable gloves.

Many thanks for the link. Lately I have been educating industries which use latex (gloves and balloons) about the discrimination of using latex. Yes, using latex gloves and having balloons is discrimination against those of us who have latex allergy. Some industries are willing to change while others are not willing to change. Those which are willing, see an increase in profits of upto 20 percent. That is remarkable!!

You may be pleased to know that OSHA requires that hypoallergenic gloves be provided when exposed to bloodborne pathogens (like HIV). Of course, this essentially only applies to healthcare applications.

Of out curiosity, where did you find the data regarding the increase in profits?